#BeAFriendMonth: Friends have Compassion

Amber with her compassionate friends!

It is important to be a good friend as well as having good friend. Sometimes simply by listening to others and showing them compassion can go miles towards becoming a good friend.

Once I decided to talk to a friend and vent about a situation. I was just expecting her to listen. However, she went above and beyond just listening by providing me with advice. Her advice was very helpful and even helped my situation! I love my friends!

Amber is a senior in high school and has been a Girl Talk Leader since she was a freshman. She is also a member of Girl Talk's National Teen Advisory Board! Amber wanted to be involved in Girl Talk to help young girls get through tough situations.

#BeAFriendMonth: Be Yourself!

(L to R): Rachel and her best friend, who is someone 

she can be herself around! 

As I have gone through middle school and now I am a junior in high school, I have realized how important it is to have friends beside you. I have always been friends with a lot of the girl groups in my grade, but this year I have become very close with a couple of girls who are now my best friends. I have learned what it means to be a friend as well as have friends who support me.

I think the most important quality in a friend is being honest with each other. Someone who can make you laugh, someone who listens to what you have to say, gives good advice and someone whom you know will always have your back, no matter what. I am the kind of person who does not like rumors, and gossiping, and being mean with one and other—so I definitely say NO DRAMA!! Its important to surround yourself with people who aren’t looking for drama or trying to cut each other down.  

Just a simple smile may start a conversation and friendship. You never really know someone until you start talking to them- and you may realize that you have common likes and interests. Always be nice to everyone because everyone wants a friend! I know that personally--I have made a lot of friends who I never thought would be my friend just by starting to talk with them and learning more about them. 

 You must always be yourself because there will be people out there who like you for just the way you are- and those people will be your true, lifelong friends in life.

Rachel is a junior in high school, a Girl Talk Leader, and a member of Girl Talk's National Teen Advisory Board! She wanted to be involved with Girl Talk so that she could give back to her community, become a stronger woman, and voice her opinions. Rachel hopes to inspire girls with her involvement with Girl Talk.

#BeAFriendMonth: Acceptance

I think being a good friend has one key factor: being there for them when they need you the most. Knowing you can depend on them for anything from losing a family member to helping them solve a problem. Everyone needs someone and everyone needs to know they have someone to talk to and experience all situations in both of their lives. It might just be me, but I think friends are the people you are close with--family or not--to talk about a great day or a bad day. 

Another quality I think is in a good friend is accepting the friend for who they are entirely. A true friend wants to hang out with you, regardless of your issues, flaws, or the label others put on you.  Friends care more about who you are as a person not who others want you to be. They are not really your friends if they don't like you for yourself. Friends come and go but I think a good friend is there for you through thick & thin and accept you for all your qualities.

Julie is a high school student who wants to work with girls that can empower her as well as learn about others and see how successful women are in today’s working environment.

#BeAFriendMonth: Friendship Qualities

I believe that friendships are so important and it is one of those things that I value most in my life. Without my friends, I would not be the person who I am today. They are the people who I can call when I have a bad day and I know that they will always have their doors open for me. They offer me advice, kindness, love. Most of all, we have a great time when we are together. There are several qualities that I look for in a friend.

Support: Knowing that I have someone to count on is important. I would love to have friends that will support me 100% and lend me a helping hand when I need it.  During rough times, nothing is better than having a friend to lean on and give you comfort.

Honesty: Honesty and trust are also very important in quality friendships. Be honest with your friends and you both will have a very trusting bond. Don't betray her trust by telling out secrets that were only kept between the two of you. Don’t be afraid to tell your friends how you feel. She will appreciate your honesty!

Sense of Humor: Being friends is no fun when you can’t laugh together. It's great whenever my friends and I can share a good joke, laugh at each other, and have a blast whenever we hang out. After all, friendship is just all about having fun!

#BeAFriendMonth: How to be a Good Friend!

Rule 1: Be Trustworthy

            You can always trust a real friend.  They will not make promises they cannot keep and they will always be up front and honest with you. You can depend on them to have your back, even when you have made a big mistake or are in a horrible mood. They are consistent and you can trust them to always be there for you.

Rule 2: Be Able to Apologize and to Forgive

           

            An important element in friendship is being able to say you are sorry. Take responsibility for your mistake that has hurt your friend. Do not try to blame it on someone else. This shows that you are mature and are respectful towards your friend. Even though he or she might be angry for a while, your friend understands that you are not perfect. Also, a true friend will forgive you if you are genuinely sorry. Holding grudges, making someone feel guilty, and letting your bitterness build up are not something a friend should do. If you are angry with your friend, talk it out with them, hear their side, and once you have worked it out, let it go.

Rule 3: Be Honest

           

            Honesty is always the best policy: this is especially true with friendship. If you are honest with your friend, it will open up communication and make it so your friend feels like he or she can be honest with you. If something is upsetting you, be honest, a true friend will hear you out.

Rule 4: Be Respectful

           

            Good friends respect each other’s beliefs and values. To be a good friend, you have to make it so your friend feels as if he or she can express their opinions openly with you, without being judged. If there is a disagreement between you two, agree to disagree and move on. Always hear them out. If your friend needs time alone, be respectful enough not to pry and give him or her space.

Rule 5: Accept Your Friend for Who He or She is

            This is the most important rule to be a good friend! Friendship is all about having someone who shares in your mutually weirdness. Even if he or she is different from you, you should appreciate their personal perspective and experiences. To be a friend means to care deeply for someone, despite his or her flaw.

Katie is a senior in high school and is a Girl Talk Leader in her community. She is also the president of the Girl Talk's National Teen Advisory Board. Through Girl Talk, she hopes to impact women worldwide.

#BeAMentorMonth: Who is your mentor?

Looking back on my life so far I can think of multiple scenarios where I wasn’t sure if I was making the right decision. Whether it related to my academics or just advice in general I have always looked to others for guidance. One person I can always count on to be there for me is Tay Rivers. I have known Tay since I was in the fourth grade. She is a few years older than me so I have to admit that when we first met she was a little intimidating. Little did I know then that this would not be the case as I got older and started high school.

When I was in the tenth grade I took an advanced Spanish course that was very challenging. Knowing that she excelled in Spanish I reached out to Tay for help. Even though she started out as just my tutor it was not long before our relationship evolved. Over time I found myself increasingly going to her for both academic and personal advice.

When she graduated high school I felt sure that our friendship would slowly fade away as she became accustomed to her new life as a college student. But this was not the case as she is still there for me, even though she is busy beginning the new chapter in her life.

Ane's mentor, Tay

When I reflect on our friendship I do not hesitate to attribute the strength in our relationship as a result of her personality. Tay is one of few people who I can contact at anytime of day and never failing she is there to listen. Along with being a good listener, she also offers me good advice. No matter the situation I may be going through she always gives me the perfect response that is the solution to my problem. I know that regardless of the circumstance I can count on her to lead me in the right direction.

Most importantly Tay displays the upmost level of genuine affection to everyone in her presence. I am very grateful for the friendship I share with Tay and everyday she inspires me to do the same. I hope that one day I can serve as a mentor for someone else and shine a light in their lives in the same way Tay has in mine.

#NoDramaWednesday: No Longer Being the Bystander

When I was in middle school, specifically sixth grade, the girls in our grade were bullying a girl who had come to our school in the middle of the year. The girls would call her weird behind her back and exclude her from parties and sleepovers. Trying to fit in, I just ignored how mean the girls were. I chose the easy road and didn’t do anything to help the new girl. However, one day I was partnered up with the new girl on a project. At first I was hesitant, but then we got to talking and I found out that we had a lot in common. Soon we became really good friends. But still, the other girls would make fun of her. One day they were gossiping about her in front of me, but this time I spoke up. I told them I thought she was a great person and that they shouldn’t judge her because they didn’t know her. They immediately went shamefully silent, and I just walked away. To this day that quiet new girl and I are best friends. Never judge someone by what other people say. Get to know someone and make your own impressions. Who knows? They could become your best friend!